Colombia and Kenya Partnering Award: Skills sharing for genomic approaches to forage improvement
Lead Research Organisation:
Earlham Institute
Department Name: Research Faculty
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Organisations
Publications
Villegas D
(2020)
Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI): Phenotyping of a Core Germplasm Collection of the Tropical Forage Grass Megathyrsus maximus Under Greenhouse Conditions.
in Frontiers in plant science
Worthington M
(2016)
A Parthenogenesis Gene Candidate and Evidence for Segmental Allopolyploidy in Apomictic Brachiaria decumbens.
in Genetics
Worthington M
(2021)
A new genome allows the identification of genes associated with natural variation in aluminium tolerance in Brachiaria grasses.
in Journal of experimental botany
Description | We have strengthened collaborations between CIAT, Earlham Institute, IBERS and ILRI in the area of forage research and breeding. We have organised two meetings for the dissemination of knowledge between the partners. During the first meeting, hosted at IBERS, it was agreed to focus on bringing genomic technologies to accelerate Brachiaria breeding for improved livestock production. This grant has resulted in an ongoing collaboration to develop a brachiaria genome sequence, developed using data and skills from Earlham and CIAT. During the second meeting at CIAT we observed the focus of CIAT's strategy in four main crops: rice, beans, cassava and tropical forages; as well as the importance of the Decision & Policy Analysis department. We highlighted that there are existing activities already funded in UK institutions, specifically with rice and forages, and the importance of maintaining and extending the collaboration to Brachiaria. |
Exploitation Route | The brachiaria genome will be a useful tool, providing access to B. ruziziensis genomic data for forage researchers and breeders. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
Description | This partnering award has enabled the development of collaborations between scientists working towards increasing sustainable agriculture. Specifically, during the first workshop it was agreed to focus on bringing genomic technologies to accelerate Brachiaria breeding for improved livestock production. Brachiaria is not only used by large livestock producers both in Colombia and East Africa, but by subsistence livestock-holders that benefit from any advance in Brachiaria breeding. The award has developed complementary collaborations between breeders in developing countries and computational biologists in UK. |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
Description | RCUK-CIAT Newton Fund: Exploiting biodiversity in Brachiaria/Panicum tropical forage grasses using genetics to improve livelihoods and sustainability |
Amount | £150,692 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/R022828/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 03/2019 |
Title | B. ruziziensis draft genome assembly |
Description | As a result of this collaboration the Earlham Institute has generated a draft genome assembly for a Brachiaria ruziziensis accession. Annotation of the genome is underway, with publication to follow. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The sequence is already being used in-house to assist with an RNASeq study |
Title | Brachiaria ruziziensis genome reference |
Description | A reference assembly and annotation of the Brachiaria ruziziensis genome. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The first draft version of the reference has been shared with Brachiaria breeders in two CGIAR centres, CIAT in Colombia and ILRI in Kenya, for validation. |
Description | Aberystwyth University - IBERS, in temperate and tropical forages |
Organisation | University of Wales |
Department | Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Genetic map integration with genome assemblies. SNP and diversity calling in natural and induced populations of forages. |
Collaborator Contribution | Genetic map assembly and validation. Genotyping-by-synthesis (GBS) library preparation and sequencing for diversity analysis. Gene and transcriptomic analysis. |
Impact | Chromosome-scale genome references for Trifolium pratense, Lolium perenne and Brachiaria ruziziensis. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya |
Organisation | International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) |
Country | Kenya |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Organising a workshop in Aberystwyth University involving researchers from ILRI. Organising a visit to CIAT in Cali involving a researcher from ILRI |
Collaborator Contribution | Sending delegates and covering a part of their costing to attend to the activities involved in the plan of work. |
Impact | We submitted a BBSRC's GCRF proposal together that was not successful. The Director and Head of Plant Genomics of Earlham Institute visit ILRI in Nairobi as part of a programme of visit to Kenyan institutions (with funding from a different project) as result of the contacts built in this project. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia |
Organisation | CGIAR |
Department | International Center for Tropical Agriculture |
Country | Colombia |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Organisation of a workshop hosted at Aberystwyth University with attendants from CIAT to explore future projects and funding opportunities. Training of a MSc student at Earlham Institute (Formerly, TGAC) during 3 months. Visit of Jose De Vega (Earlham), and Leif Skot and Charlotte Jones (IBERS) to CIAT. |
Collaborator Contribution | Hosting Jose De Vega (Earlham), Sita Ghimere (ILRI), and Leif Skot and Charlotte Jones (IBERS) for 1 week in CIAT HQ in Cali, Colombia. Designated and support Alex Silva stay in UK. |
Impact | We are applying together for several funding, including the former Newton Fund, in progress RCUK's Grow RC, and planning for the next BBSRC's GCRF. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Meeting with students at CIAT |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | During the visit of several partners to CIAT, Cali, Dr Leif Skot and Jose De Vega met with more than 20 MSc and PhD students from CIAT to discuss about their research lines and future careers, in a collaborative informal atmosphere. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Systems Programme Project Scoping Workshop at CIAT Headquarters in Cali |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Systems Programme Project Scoping Workshop at CIAT Headquarters in Cali focused on tropical agricultural systems containing pulses and/or forages that are relevant to, and part of, the livelihood of communities in Colombia. Applications were invited from individual researchers who could contribute to the project scoping workshop and the resulting research projects. Up to 40 participants in total (around 20 from the UK and 20 from CIAT) were identified to take part. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://bbsrc.ukri.org/funding/filter/2017-sustainable-tropical-agricultural-systems-programme/ |
Description | Workshop in CIAT |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | During the final workshop in CIAT, Cali, the visiting researchers from ILRI, IBERS and Earlham met and discussed about potential synergies and future opportunities for collaboration with a research leader from each of the subdivision at CIAT. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |